Britain and allies condemn Chinese military drills near Taiwan

The G7 Foreign Ministers have jointly expressed “deep concern” over China’s recent large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, warning that such actions risk escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait and threatening wider global stability.

In a statement issued on 6 April 2025, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States — along with the High Representative of the European Union — condemned what they described as “provocative actions” by Beijing.

“These increasingly frequent and destabilising activities are raising cross-Strait tensions and put at risk global security and prosperity,” the ministers said.

The drills, which have included the encirclement of Taiwan by Chinese naval and air assets, are viewed by Western powers as part of a pattern of coercion against the self-governing island. The G7 statement reaffirmed opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or intimidation.

“G7 members and the larger international community have an interest in the preservation of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the statement continued. “We oppose any unilateral actions to threaten such peace and stability, including by force or coercion.”

The group reiterated its support for a peaceful resolution of tensions, encouraging “constructive cross-Strait dialogue.”

The intervention comes amid a period of heightened military activity in the Indo-Pacific, with the UK and other NATO members increasingly focused on regional security partnerships. The UK’s deployment of Royal Navy assets to the region in recent years, including HMS Queen Elizabeth’s carrier strike group, reflects growing alignment with key partners such as Japan and Australia in deterring further Chinese aggression.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP joined his G7 counterparts in issuing the warning. The UK continues to support efforts to maintain open lines of communication across the Taiwan Strait and has called for restraint on all sides to avoid miscalculation.